On Spring Cleaning

I don't know about where you are, but here, it's been such a warm, beautiful spring week and I couldn't be happier about it. All of my windows have been open and I've begun doing some cleaning. (I have done a little cleaning and have thought about doing a lot of cleaning, so I think that should count for something). Our verses today talk about someone who did some serious cleaning. I don't know if it was Spring or not, but it was definitely cleaning that lead to a new beginning.

2 Chronicles 34 tells the story of Josiah, king of Judah from 640-609 BC. At this point in history, God's people are divided into two kingdoms - Israel and Judah. The two kingdoms have had separate kings, and each has had its share of problems. In the case of Judah, the problems were mainly in the form of idolatry. Prior to Josiah becoming king (at the wise old age of 8, no less), Judah had had 15 kings in about 350 years. In those 350 years, the people of Judah had picked up some bad habits. In fact, they had gone so far from God that His temple had fallen into disrepair as the people (and their kings) worshipped other gods instead. Different kings throughout the years had tried to bring the people back to God, but had not made complete attempts - they all kept remnants and reminders of the idols in the kingdom in the form of "high places" and Asherah poles (sacred poles set up to honor the goddess Asherah - think "Mother Earth" and you've got the basic idea).

So Josiah comes along and when he was 16, he decided to obey God instead of continuing the legacy left by his relatives. Like his predecessors, he destroyed idols, got rid of corrupt priests and told the people to turn back to God. Unlike his predecessors, he did some serious cleaning and took down the high places and the Asherah poles. In fact, he did such a good job that God blessed him and allowed him to die before He punished His people for their many years of idolatry by sending them into exile in Babylon (see Daniel for that part of the story).

What's even more significant about the cleaning Josiah did was that while the high priest of the temple was cleaning, he found the Book of the Law. (Imagine how bad it must have been in the temple that the Book of the Law had even been lost in the first place!) The high priest brought the book to Josiah who then had it read out loud to the people before he rededicated them to their God. (Another pretty big thing Josiah did was reinstate the celebration of Passover.)

Like the people of Judah, we all have seasons of backsliding - it's human nature. But how do those seasons end? I'm pretty sure that if you're anything like me, they only end when we do some intense "spring cleaning". But how does that happen? Well, first, we have to realize that something is dirty in the first place. That is the work of the Holy Spirit - conviction of sin. Then we have to decide that our relationship with God is worth the effort. For me, sometimes I make that decision because of the amount of "dirt" that has built up and is bothering me. Other times, I make the decision knowing that it will be hard work, but also knowing that I'll feel so much better when it's done (who doesn't like a clean house?).

Once the choice is made, we then have to reach for our cleaning tool. Not the vacuum, not the toilet brush, not that cool thing Mr. Clean makes that helps you reach all the way around the tub and shower. Nope, our cleaning tool is (what, Kids?) the Bible! When we read the story of Josiah, we see that it wasn't until the Book of the Law had been read that he ordered the removal of the idols, high places and poles. As is always the case, the Word brought the change.

So the question today is simply, how clean is your "house"? Maybe you've been backsliding a bit, or just struggling with your faith or with obedience on some issue. It's time to start cleaning. Maybe you've been cleaning for a little while, and you feel like you've done a lot. Good job! Thank God for helping you to do that. But then, take a step that could be a little scary: ask Him "what's next?"

Until we reach our full completion and receive our glorified bodies (I Corinthians 15:42-44), I'm afraid there will always be something to "clean". Even though we're redeemed, as humans, we are still subject to temptation, and we all fall. A habitual sin always starts with just one act of surrender to temptation. Think of it this way (and this will probably frustrate you the way it frustrates me): as soon as you finish vacuuming under the bed, the dust starts to settle again. If left unattended, those little dust particles start clinging together and before you know it, you've got an entire colony of cute, cuddly dust bunnies living quite happily under there. Sin is the same way - if you let even just a little one go, it will soon cling to other "little" sins and before you know it, you're dealing with habitual sin, or even worse, deliberate sin.

The key is to reach for the only tool we have (which, fortunately is also the only tool we need!) - God's Word. Regular cleaning of our minds and hearts by thinking on things that are "true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy" (Philippians 4:8) will keep us from unconfessed, habitual and deliberate sin. The Bible is clear: "Do not give the devil a foothold" (Ephesians 4: 27). When it comes to avoiding habitual sin that can quickly build up if we do not heed this advice, the best thing we can do is claim the promise in 1 John 1:9 as soon as we realize we've sinned - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and purify [cleanse] us from all unrighteousness".

I challenge you today, as an act of faith and spiritual "spring cleaning" to take a look at your life and make any changes you feel you need to make in your attitudes and behaviors. Then ask God to take a look at your life and give you the strength and courage you need to change the things He points out that need to be changed. It's hard work, I know, but think of how much better you'll feel when it's done!